By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
सुना गम जुदाई का, उठाते हैं लोग
जाने ज़िंदगी कैसे, बिताते हैं लोग
दिन भी यहाँ तो लगे, बरस के समान
हमें इंतज़ार कितना, ये हम नहीं जानते
मगर जी नहीं सकते तुम्हारे बिना
हमें तुम से प्यार
Chetan Anand, eldest of the three brothers ( Dev Anand & Vijay Anand being the other two) was a noted film producer, screenwriter and director whose debut film, “Neecha Nagar”, was awarded the Grand Prix Prize (Now Golden Palm) at the first ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Later he co-founded Navketan Films with his younger brother Dev Anand in 1949 and produced many films. Chetan Anand was maternal uncle of director Shekhar Kapoor of “Bandit Queen ” fame.
Chetan Anand and Priya Rajvansh both remained in ‘live in’ relationship until they breathed their last.Priya was also cast in ” Haqeeqat”( 1964),believed to be the ever best war film produced by any Hindi moviemaker with many hit songs like..”Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaano Tan Saathiyo..”, “Zaraa si aahat hoti hai to dil sochataa hai, kahi ye vo to nahi, kahi ye vo to nahi” & “Masti me chhedake taraanaa koi dil ka, aaj lutaayegaa khazaanaa koi dil ka” under the music score of Madan Mohan & lyrics penned by Kaifi Azami. It was was followed by ” Aakhri Khat” & another musical hit ” Heer Ranjha” ( 1970) again featuring Priya Rajwansh in the lead opposite Raj Kumar woth the latter singing “Apanaa pataa mile na khabar yaar ki mile,dushman ko bhi naa aisi sazaa pyaar ki mileunako khudaa mile hai khudaa ki jinhe talaash,mujhko bas ik jhalak mere diladaar ki mile..”.
” Kudrat” featuring Rajesh Khanna & Hema Malini was another hit with a heart touching romantic song “Hme tumse pyar kitna, ye hum nahi jante, magar ji nahi sakte tumhare bina..” to boast. “Taxi Driver”,”Kinare Kinare” & “Hanste Zakhm ” were some of his other films.
His youngest brother Vijay Anand was a director par excellence with many a hit film “Guide”, “Johny Mera Naam’,”Jewel Thief” & “Teesri Manzil” to his credit.
